Tax fears over diesel cars have seen sales plummet at fastest rate in NINE years
Buyers shun diesel cars after plans for higher registration fees
SALES of diesel cars have slumped at their fastest rate for almost nine years.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that diesel cars were down by 9.2 per cent last month compared to the same period a year ago.
Buyers are shunning them after the government hints that diesel drivers are to be clobbered with more taxes because of the pollution the vehicles cause.
Drivers of diesel cars already have to pay higher road taxes and higher parking charges in some areas.
Yesterday one climate and energy expert urged the Chancellor to slap a £1,500 registration fee on new diesel motors.
The call for the massive increase in the current £55 charge was made by Paul Drummond, of University College London.
Sales of alternatively fuelled cars - mostly electric vehicles - also grew by 48.9 per cent to take a 4 per cent market share.
The vehicles accounted for one in every 25 cars sold, the SMMT revealed.